A drama ensued at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, July 24, 2025, as the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) seized the international passport of suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The senator’s passport was seized at the Abuja airport while on her way to board a British Airways flight to London.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the senator arrived at the international terminal of the airport with her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, only to be stopped by immigration officials who flagged her as a “national security risk.”

Natasha was said to have remained calm and composed throughout the ordeal, insisting that the officers have no legal authority to seize her passport.

“The court never authorised this. You have no right to hold my passport,” the lawmaker said.

Her husband was later seen making a series of urgent phone calls as the delay dragged on.

Minutes later, the senator’s passport was returned without any formal explanation, allowing her to swiftly proceed through immigration and board her flight.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has thrown his weight behind the Senate’s push for stricter enforcement of Local Content laws, describing ongoing violations as a national crisis that continues to rob Nigerian workers of their rights and opportunities.

During a courtesy visit by the Senate Committee on Local Content, led by its Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Ajaero lamented that many companies continue to violate Local Content provisions with impunity, employing hundreds of expatriates while sidelining qualified Nigerians.

“We need a clear strategy to enhance monitoring because this problem has persisted for too long.

“I’m with you in this cause to save this country from this calamity. Some of these violators appear untouchable, even when taken to court. Who enforces the law?” Ajaero asked.

The labour leader expressed concern that, despite the existence of robust legislation such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act, poor enforcement has allowed widespread abuse to continue, including salary discrimination and job displacement of Nigerians by foreign workers.

“While we complain about unemployment, expatriates earn double and Nigerian workers are treated as second-class citizens in their own country. This discrimination must stop,” he said.

Ajaero called for the creation of a centralised databank to document cases of violations and convictions, stressing that there must be public accountability. “We need to keep a record of how many convictions have been secured. That’s the only way to measure progress,” he said.

He also raised questions over the commitment of some government agencies, alleging that compromised enforcement officers were part of the problem. “When those meant to enforce the law become compromised, the entire system breaks down,” he stated.

Highlighting cases where refineries and large industrial projects are staffed predominantly by foreigners, the NLC president said various unions within the Congress will begin compiling and submitting detailed reports to assist the Senate Committee in its oversight duties.

“There’s a lot of good work being done under the Local Content policy in the oil and gas sector, but we are not there yet. We must go further to stop capital flight and empower our people,” he added.

The Senate committee therefore pledged to review all complaints and investigate reported violations, as part of its renewed push to enforce compliance and protect Nigerian jobs.

The Senate has adjourned plenary to September 23, 2025, marking the end of the current legislative year, with a directive to all committees to conclude work on pending reports ahead of resumption.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday after a closed-door executive session that lasted over an hour.

He charged all standing and ad hoc committees to make effective use of the two-month break to finalise their assignments in order to ease legislative consideration and adoption upon resumption.

In his earlier remarks, Senator Akpabio also encouraged lawmakers to use the recess period to inspect road construction projects in their constituencies and across the country.

Meanwhile, senators are expected to travel to Jos, Plateau State on Friday to attend the burial of the wife of their colleague, Senator Diket Plang.